Research

Woodleigh image courtesy of Geological Survey of Western Australia

SIGL has always taken a progressive role in stable isotope research

Precise measurement of isotopic ratios provides quantitative constraints on all aspects of Earth Systems; our approach has been to combine field and laboratory studies to build an interdisciplinary research program with emphasis on hydrothermal systems and mineral and fossil fuel occurrence. In addition we have studied carbon, sulfur and lead isotopes in Archaean and Paleoproterozoic rocks to better understand early Earth environments and their role in the origin of life. We are particularly interested in the effect of events such as oxygenation of the atmosphere and bolide impacts on the Earth's biota.

Current grants

• Achieving risk and cost reductions in geosequestration through 4D characterisation of host formations (Golding, Rudolph, Uysal, Li: ANLEC 2011-2013: $612,000)
• Reactive reservoir rocks and their impact on CO2 storage potential trapping (Golding, Pearce: CO2CRC 2010-2015: $953,000)
• Coals as methane bioreactors: significance of microbial methane generation in coal seams for coal seam gas (CSG) production and carbon dioxide (CO2) geosequestration (Golding, Rudolph, Esterle, Massarotto, Tyson, Gilcrease: ARC Linkage, QGC-BG, Santos, TOTAL, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: 2011-2014: $780,000)
• The early evolution of the Earth System from multiple sulfur isotope records of sediments and seafloor mineral systems (Barley, Golding and Fiorentini: ARC Discovery: 2009-2011: $210,000)
• Flue gas and CO2 geosequestration in Surat and Bowen Basin coals (Rudolph, Massarotto, Golding, Gasparon, Bhatia: ARC Linkage, Stanwell Corporation, Institute of Geology, Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal of University of Aachen, Origin Energy and Santos 2008-2011: $1,040,000)

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